1950’s-1960’s

1950's-1960's Overview

• Focus on significant events: Korean War, Eisenhower's Presidency, and early 1960's influences outside Vietnam.

• Developed by Mr. Armstrong.

New President - Dwight Eisenhower (1953)

• Eisenhower, also known as "Ike", assumed the presidency, marking the end of nearly 20 years of Democratic control.

• Won election with the platform of "waging peace," emphasizing the reduction of Cold War costs.

• U.S. defense spending surged from $13 billion (est. $171 billion in 2025) to $50 billion (est. $655 billion in 2025) from 1950 to 1953.

Eisenhower's Defense Strategy

• Eisenhower aimed to prevent the spread of Communism via economic strength rather than military size.

• Reduced the size of the U.S. military while significantly expanding the nuclear arsenal.

• Shifted focus to missiles as a more cost-effective defense compared to maintaining a vast standing army.

Expansion of Nuclear Arsenal

• Post-Eisenhower's policies led to a dramatic increase in nuclear weapons:

  • 1950: ~299 weapons (pre-Ike)

  • 1955: ~2,422 weapons

  • 1960: ~18,638 weapons (end of Ike's presidency)

• Development of the Hydrogen bomb introduced more destructive capabilities.

Foreign Policy: Ike's Approach

• Core principles encompassed two strategies:

  • Massive Retaliation: Advocated for overwhelming military response including nuclear options against Communist aggression.

  • Brinkmanship: The art of approaching the verge of war without actual conflict, to deter opponents.

Brinkmanship in Action

• Taiwan Strait Crisis (1954-1955):

  • Conflict arose when Communist China shelled Taiwan, leading to U.S. threats of nuclear defense.

  • Taiwan's relationship with the U.S. as part of the defensive framework consisting of pro-democracy nations in Asia.

• Suez Crisis:

  • France and Britain invaded Egypt after the nationalization of the Suez Canal.

  • Soviets threatened retaliation, prompting U.S. military alerts as a deterrent against allied conflict.

  • Result: Egypt retained control of the Suez Canal; U.S. solidified its role in global diplomacy.

The Space Race

• Sputnik Launch (October 4, 1957):

  • Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, stirring American national anxiety and competitiveness in space exploration.

  • Sparked a race with the U.S. to achieve technological supremacy in space ventures.

U-2 Spy Plane Incident

• U-2 Program:

  • U.S. conducted high-altitude spy missions over Soviet territory, capturing critical images for intelligence.

  • In May 1960, a U-2 was shot down; pilot Francis Gary Powers was captured.

• Crisis Aftermath:

  • Eisenhower denied the spy mission, which led to public embarrassment as the Soviets showcased their captured pilot to the world.

  • Incident soured U.S.-Soviet relations, escalating existing tensions.

John F. Kennedy's Presidency

• Election of 1960:

  • John F. Kennedy, at 43, became the youngest president and the first Catholic to hold office.

  • Shifted U.S. strategies against Soviet expansionism significantly during his term.

Key Events During JFK's Presidency

• Major incidents that heightened superpower tensions included:

  • Bay of Pigs Invasion: Failed U.S.-backed attempt to overthrow Castro's government in Cuba.

  • Berlin Wall Construction (August 13, 1961):

    • Built to halt the migration of East Germans fleeing to the West.

    • Key symbol of the Cold War; resulted from U.S. refusal to recognize East Germany's sovereignty.

  • Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962): Critical confrontation over Soviet missiles in Cuba, culminating in a U.S. blockade.

Bay of Pigs Invasion Overview

• Background: Communist forces led by Fidel Castro took control of Cuba in 1959, leading to conflicts with the U.S.

• Initial U.S. operation designed to support Cuban nationals against Castro.

• Failure of Invasion (April 17, 1961):

  • Approximately 1,400 Cuban exiles landed but faced overwhelming resistance; operation became a political embarrassment for JFK.

Construction of the Berlin Wall

• Reasons for the Wall:

  • To stop mass migrations causing instability for the Soviet Union.

  • Aimed at preventing East Germans from escaping into West Berlin.

• Symbol of Division: The Wall epitomized the ideological conflict of the Cold War, separating families and nations.

The Cuban Missile Crisis

• Location: Cuba, 90 miles from Florida, became a focal point of Cold War tensions as Castro allied with the Soviet Union.

• Alternate Options: Decision-making involved:

  • Political solutions, open surveillance, and military action.

• Crisis Resolution:

  • U.S. imposed a blockade, ultimately agreeing to a deal removing Soviet missiles in exchange for a non-invasion pledge.

Assassination of JFK

• On November 22, 1963, JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, ending his presidency and marking a significant moment of national tragedy.

• Succeeded by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, this event marked the conclusion of a period termed as "Camelot."